The FDA’s approval of the weight loss drug Xenical as an over-the-counter medication will be a boon to its manufacturer, but a potential problem for dieters, said UAB’s Frank Franklin, M.D., professor of pediatrics and nutrition sciences.

“Xenical is an effective weight loss drug,” Franklin said, “but offering it over-the-counter brings up troubling questions about compliance and responsible use. OTC sales may mean that there is insufficient education dealing with good nutrition and the benefits of exercise to help dieters make smart decisions.”

The OTC version of the drug will be about half the strength of the prescription version.